Wine Country Grand Tour* (please see note)
Day One
Welcome to California! When you have retrieved your luggage and car, proceed north to Napa Valley. Cross the famous Golden Gate Bridge and stop in picturesque Sausalito for a waterfront lunch, or Muir Woods for a stroll among the giant redwoods.
Once in Napa Valley, proceed to your lavish home-away-from-home for the next few days. Settle in and relax.
This luxurious country inn is situated in a 33-acre olive grove. Terraced down the hillside with some of the best views in Napa Valley, all accommodations feature Mediterranean-inspired décor with original contemporary art, private terrace, fireplace and oversized bathtub. Perfect for romance or rejuvenation, this hotel provides an idyllic retreat.
Dinner tonight is just a few steps away. Your hotel began with the restaurant more than twenty-five years ago, and has maintained its legacy as a culinary destination. Here, innovative menus inspired by the bounty of Napa Valley are paired with wine in ways that delight and inspire. With the stars for a backdrop, you will enjoy the cuisine of the Wine Country elevated to its finest form.
Day Two
Now it’s time to sit back, relax and leave the driving to us! After breakfast at the hotel, your Wine & Dine tour host will whisk you away, to spend the day visiting some of the best wineries the valley has to offer.
To begin, a beautiful winery on Pritchard Hill, from whence come some of Napa Valley’s most renowned Cabernets. Called “extraordinary, bold, compelling, elegant and distinguished" by critics, these wines reflect the unique characteristics of the rugged, rocky, thin soils of their hillside terroir. This morning you will tour and taste at this stunning location.
For years, the grapes of your second stop, a family-owned vineyard in Oakville, went into the reserve wines of Duckhorn, Cakebread, Mondavi and Beaulieu Vineyards. Now, in making their own estate wines, they concentrate on the integral quality and craftsmanship of their Bordeaux vaietals, striving for perfection. Today, you can judge for yourself as you taste these wines, available only at the winery, along with a gourmet Wine Country picnic.
Dating from the 19th century, the next winery is rich in history as well as wonderful wines. This 845-acre estate on the eastern slope of Spring Mountain is home to a great diversity of hillside plantings, the source of consistent, powerful red wines, as well as lovely, elegant whites. A walking tour of the original 1885 estate includes the winery, caves, vineyards and gardens, ending with a tasting in the Miravalle Victorian.
The day concludes with a sit-down tasting fashioned after an elegant Parisian salon of the mid-1800’s. Here a small gathering of diverse and fascinating guests are graciously entertained with libations and chocolates, and rousing conversation ensues. Inspired by old-fashioned ways of living, each participant feels like they are coming to a little party held in their honor. Delight in a gathering where the unexpected still makes appearances and humor and whimsy are considered accoutrements of our time.
After a full and memorable day, your host will return you to your hotel to relax and refresh before dinner. A sedan will arrive at the appointed hour to take you to tonight’s restaurant.
Dine in this beautiful space, with its high ceilings, stylish décor, and relaxed Mediterranean feeling, and you will swear you are in Italy. Huge French doors open onto a piazza that would make an Italian feel at home, with its canopy of fruitless Mulberry trees and striped awnings. The "Neo-Italiano" cuisine pays homage to traditional recipes while adding the spice of American innovation. The extensive wine list spotlights hard-to-find vintages. All this has made the unique restaurant a favorite in the Napa Valley for over twenty years. (Includes transportation via Lincoln Town Car.)
Day Three
What a way to wake up—get carried in a spectacular hot air balloon! Your adventure begins at dawn, when the winds are gentle and the valley shimmers in the soft morning light. Once aloft, the views are breathtaking and unforgettable. Afterward, you may toast the occasion at a catered Champagne celebration and brunch.
Then, you will see the valley from another vantage point—atop a bicycle! You will be met at the balloon debarkation site, where you will set out with your guide on a private ramble through the pastoral countryside—the perfect way to view some of Napa’s picturesque scenery. The outing is a relaxing ride through the vineyards, covering approximately 15-20 miles on relatively flat terrain. You will visit two wineries, culminating with a gourmet picnic at the second. (Please note: if you prefer, we can arrange nine or eighteen holes of golf instead, accompanied by our resident pro if you like.)
The rest of the afternoon is free to enjoy on your own. Perhaps some spa treatments are in order, after your active morning, or maybe a restorative session of shopping in St. Helena’s lovely boutiques.
Later, a pre-arranged car will take you to your evening meal.
Housed in a 1923 California Craftsman-style building, this restaurant has been a popular with locals and visitors alike since it opened. The menu features the signature flavors of the Wine Country, incorporating locally sourced produce, farm-raised meats and wild game. Rare and extraordinary wines are a hallmark here; knowledgeable sommeliers assist diners with the unequaled 600-bottle international wine list. The cozy bar downstairs offers top-shelf cocktails, as well as an extensive selection of wines by the glass. (Includes transportation via Lincoln Town Car.)
Day Four
Today, you will bid Napa adieu and take an easy drive to Alexander Valley, a bucolic region in Sonoma County. Check out at leisure, and follow the scenic route to Healdsburg, a charming town built around a gracious central square. (We will provide directions and suggestions for places to stop along the way, as well as winery reservations if desired.)
Upon arrival, check in to your new digs. Contemporary yet luxurious, this centrally located hotel spares no attention to detail. The beautifully appointed rooms, gardens, pool and spa provide a tranquil setting in which to relax. The sense of serenity is enhanced by handsome furnishings, wood floors with Tibetan rugs, goose down duvets and fine linens. A generous breakfast is included in your stay.
The rest of the day is yours to spend as you please. Lunch at one of the town’s many fine restaurants, browse the Madison-Avenue-caliber boutiques, or just stroll around and explore. And don’t forget the hotel’s terrific spa. (We will gladly schedule for you in advance.)
Dinner tonight awaits just downstairs. One of America’s leading chefs, owner of eight restaurants, goes directly to local sources for the finest ingredients with which to prepare his creative cuisine. The restaurant highlights Sonoma’s bounty with an ever-changing menu of homegrown, seasonal delights. The wine list is made up exclusively of Sonoma County bottlings, including many limited production wines. The restaurant features an open kitchen, vaulted ceilings, a live-fire grill, and outdoor seating in a country garden.
Day Five
Today will find you traveling in style once more as you tour Sonoma with your guide par excellence, who will meet you at the hotel for a post-breakfast departure.
To start, an exclusive winery situated on an oak-covered knoll overlooking 275 acres of vineyards in Alexander Valley. Only estate-grown grapes—cultivated in their own vineyards—are used to craft their elegant and distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The quality and consistent style of these world-renowned wines reflect the unique integration of old-world winemaking practices with new-world technology. Judge for yourself during your tour and tasting here today.
A bucolic spot in the heart of the Dry Creek appellation will be the setting for your lunch today. All grapes for these wines, available only at the winery, are selected from choice regional vineyards and aged in the finest oak barrels to assure a finished product of elegance and distinction. Winemaking tradition weaves through the family’s history, dating back to the owner’s great-grandfather. Here, along with your tasting, you will enjoy a delicious picnic.
Many of the vineyards at the next winery are at least a hundred years old, producing the unparalleled zinfandel it is known for. Its famous winemaker raised what was once considered to be a second-class grape to its current status as a wine with a devoted—some would say fanatic—following. The winery, rebuilt in 2000, is the largest commercial straw bale structure in the United States. A tasting of their delicious wines awaits you here.
Your last stop is a tiny, family-owned winery specializing in estate-grown Zinfandel and single vineyard designates. Each bottle they produce is truly handcrafted, from vine to wine. Their dry-farmed and head-pruned vines purposely produce a very small crop, assuring high-quality, intensely flavorful wines. Your tasting here will most likely be conducted by the owner-winemaker himself.
When you are done exploring, you will be returned to the hotel to rest up before the evening’s gala dinner. The restaurant is within walking distance of your hotel.
This elegant yet understated restaurant is the culmination of a dream for its two partners, who met while helping to open Restaurant Gary Danko in San Francisco. The chef, who was recently recognized by Food & Wine magazine as a rising star, creates food that is a departure from typical California culinary style; he prefers Old-World indulgences (caviar, foie gras, truffles); Asian flavors and classic French technique. Some have called this restaurant Sonoma County's version of the French Laundry.
Day Six
Enough of the country--the bright lights of the “City by the Bay” beckon! After breakfast, check out at leisure and make your way to San Francisco. The sparkling city is yours for the taking today. (You may explore on your own, or we can arrange a private, guided tour of some of the highlights.)
Your stay here will end on a high note (literally) at this landmark hotel, which continues to welcome travelers from around the world just as it did over a century ago. Located in the heart of the city, facing Union Square, it combines modern, up-to-the-minute amenities with the gracious sensibility of a bygone era. Your room in the Tower Building will afford breathtaking views of both the city and the bay.
Tonight’s top-rated restaurant is right within your hotel. Winner of many accolades, the chef takes simple yet striking flavor combinations to an unexpected level, pairing a primary ingredient with a trio of accompaniments, each of which offer a distinct taste sensation. The stunning, spare-no-expense décor, along with their list of over 2000 wines, make for a singular dining experience.
Day Seven
After a week on the go, this morning you may sleep in a bit. At 10:30 a.m., a taxi will be waiting to take you to the day’s activity.
You will wind up your trip with a thrilling private four-hour sail on the gorgeous San Francisco Bay. The custom-built sloop’s experienced mariner has a passion for sailing, and loves sharing it with his passengers. Your relaxing cruise (including lunch) will take you under the Golden Gate and past such sights as Alcatraz and Angel Island. Sit back, sunbathe and sightsee, or take the helm as the spirit moves you. Either way, you will have a memorable afternoon that is sure to be one of the highlights of your stay.
An afternoon rest will prepare you for tonight’s grand finale. A Lincoln Town Car will arrive at your hotel at 5:30 p.m. to provide the transport.
Get set for a bewitching evening of entertainment and dining set in the nightclub of your dreams! This show combines some of the world's most renowned cirque artists, contortionists, aerial artists, jugglers and illusionists with European cabaret, including live music from a five-piece band. Guests quickly discover that the entertainment is not confined to the stage as the performers engage the entire room in the spectacle. All this, and a gourmet five-course meal, make for an unforgettable night.
Day 8
Alas, it’s time to bid California farewell…for now. We wish you a safe journey and a speedy return!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
2008 Pricing: $6500.00 per person (based on two guests).
*Please note: This is a sample itinerary. It can be altered or adjusted according to the interests, tastes and budget of the individual client. Prices for a multiple-day itinerary start at $500.00 per person per day, and vary depending on what is included
Also see tour packages in:
USA
California
Argentina
Croatia
Food & Wine
Collectors Tours
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